Friends of the Milky Way

To educate, inform, and support individual & community concerns about the loss of the
night sky due to poor, illegal and/or excessive outdoor lighting.

Our 'Good Neighbor Lighting' brochure, revised April 2004
and tailored for Cochise County is now available. Please
request some copies and they will be mailed or delivered to you.
We would like to have these brochures available everywhere in
the county, so please help us getting them distributed.
They are also suitable for many other locales in Arizona.
Thanks So Much!

Friends of the Milky Way - An organization dedicated to the preservation of Cochise County, Arizona's diminishing dark night skies and the visual wonders of the Universe which have been a part of the human experience since the birth of mankind. The FOMW will actively seek members from all interests, walks of life and ages who regard our night sky as a threatened local treasure.

If you would like to become a member of FOMW, please email us. This is just indicating your support for the reasonable control of Light Pollution (as defined below). This can be as simple as just including your name and where you are located in Cochise County or adjoining counties*.

See an example of what WE are able to accomplish, but we need your (no cost) support!

If you want to add comments to your email, please feel free to do so. What your thoughts are on light pollution (L.P.), ways to control it, and particular offending lights that affect your quality of life. Since light pollution does not ascribe to county or state boundaries, we welcome members from other areas bordering our county.
(No mailing address is necessary as we are not mailing any thing out nor do we furnish your name or email address to ANY other party or organization. Unsolicited email will not be sent out to members, but you are welcome to contact FOMW at any time with questions, comments, or suggestions.)

*adjoining counties: Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Santa Cruz (adjoining state: New Mexico)

Southeastern Arizona has traditionally been one of the truly dark sky areas left within the United States, not only for astronomical observing, but also for the many thousands of residents who are casual observers. It may be one of our desires to understand our connection to the mysteries of the Universe and the beauty of the night sky, but we are rapidly losing this majestic natural wonder due to our growth, apathy by individuals and businesses, and the inability of local, state, and federal governments to address the issue.

In this organization, there are no dues or fees, just your expression that you support our cause. One of our objectives is to show that there are thousands of concerned, sensible people in this county that are disgusted with the uncontrolled spread of light pollution in our communities, cities and rural areas that is stealing from us and future generations the legacy of the night sky. A second objective is to ask for your help informing friends, neighbors, businesses and local governments that we need effective light pollution codes, but most of all, an awareness of how easily it is to prevent this spread of L.P. by the use fully shielded outdoor light fixtures and quality lighting, but still maintain safety and security. We are not against good sensible outdoor lighting - we are against unshielded, glaring and excessive lighting that destroys everyone's view of the night sky.

Ask yourself - are any of my outdoor lights contributing to the below factors? What about those porch lights - do you really need that wattage blazing away (try putting in bulbs that are at least half that wattage and turning them off at night). Do you have those unshielded flood lights that throw their glare into the night sky or onto your neighbors property (chances are they don't appreciate it, but don't want to mention it to you). Aim them down as much as possible, shield them (FOMW can tell you about shields) , use timed motion sensor type fixtures instead of leaving wasteful lights on, or always ensure they are off when not being used! Dusk-to-Dawn yard security lights - some of the most damaging sources of light pollution there is in this county - 40% of that light contributes to sky glow and contrary to opinion, acts like a beacon rather than a deterrent. Some one getting on to your property doesn't even need to bring a flashlight - you are providing all the light they need! If necessary, get that fixture fully shielded so the light stays on your ground (again, FOMW can help), or better yet, have them turned off or put in motion detector lights.

Light pollution basically consists of three factors: Sky Glow, Glare, and Light Trespass:

1) Sky Glow: Light that is allowed to travel outward and/or upwards from the source to needlessly illuminate the night sky. The city of Sierra Vista, which is a small city of approximately 40,000, has a sky glow that illuminates the night sky well over 3,000 ft. above the city. Is this a good energy policy?

2) Glare: Glare occurs when you can see light rays directly radiating towards you from the fixture or bulb. It can hamper vision of drivers, pedestrians, and others which often create a hazard.

3) Light Trespass: Light that travels outward (horizontal) from one property to another property on which the offending light is not needed nor wanted. All lighting should be directed downward and fully shielded.

In the near future, there will be many more features, including photographs of good and bad lighting, links to many resources and who to contact to file complaints about non-compliant or objectionable night time lighting.

Please help us to reclaim this legacy that so many uninformed, uncaring or selfish individuals, home and property owners, businesses, corporations and governments have, and are, stealing from us.

"Those who have no concept of the splendor and heritage of the night sky
do not have the right to destroy its visibility for those of us who do."

Thank You!
Doug Snyder & all the members of FOMW.
FOMW, P.O. Box 981, Palominas, AZ 85615
(520) 366-5788 email: fomw@palominas.com